September Nutrition Notes: Healthy Snacking

According to the USDA, the average American eats 2.2 snacks a day and gets 1/4 of his/her daily calorie intake from snacking. I am here today to talk about snacking, particularly healthy snacking. Snacking can play a crucial part in our diet. It is food that keeps us focused and energized in between meals. However, eating the wrong snacks can have negative effects on us.

Everywhere we go it seems we are bombarded by different kinds of quick and easy foods. Many of us see these foods on TV, others at a local gas station or grocery store. The reality is that though these snacks may be appealing at first, they can have a negative effect on your health.

Here are some reasons why:

Effects of Poor Snacking:

Bad snacks are filled with empty calories

They can lead to increased hunger

High in preservatives

As mentioned before, eating healthy snacks can be helpful in keeping us energized and focused. Here are a few other reasons why we should snack:

Benefits of Healthy Snacking:

Help maintain proper blood sugar

Fuel for recovery

They keep us full until our next meal

They are nutrient dense

Good Snack Ideas

Combine honey and peanut butter or almond butter for a protein-rich dip for raw apples, carrots, celery, and pretzel sticks. This spread also tastes great on bagels, rice cakes, and whole-grain crackers.

Mix fresh or frozen berries with low-fat yogurt. Top with sliced almonds or granola to make a fruit parfait.